Silver Nanoparticle Microscope

Researchers in Utah have recently developed a new method that may be more effective in diagnosing different types of cancer and other illnesses. The new device is a microscope that uses “silver nanoparticle” mirrors that are able to look in to difficult to reach places inside of various places throughout the body, including bones and cancer cells. This is done by exciting bundles of sliver nanoparticles with an infrared laser and placing them beneath the material to be studied.

Before this new development, fluorescence microscopy was most commonly used in this type of diagnostic imaging. This was done with the use of fluorescent dyes, which make the structures easier to see and find, however can kill the living cells that need to be examined.

I found this article to be especially interesting because I believe that many new devices and treatments will be developed using nanotechnology. I thought it was so amazing how they are able to utilize such small, microscopic particles to something so important. This new development significantly improves the process of diagnostic imaging. It shows how technology continues to advance beyond what most people imagined was possible.

link to article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/140760.php

Charlcie Northrop
VTPP 434-502